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NZ offer to support anti-whaler at trial

New Zealander anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune will have consulate support throughout his trial in Japan this week, but the NZ government says it will otherwise stand back from the court process.

Bethune, 42, was arrested after boarding Japanese whaling fleet vessel the Shonan Maru 2, hoping to make a citizen's arrest of its captain following a collision between it and his anti-whaling speed boat, Ady Gil, in January.

The Ady Gil sank after being broken in two pieces and Bethune blames the Japanese boat and its captain.

He was detained once on board and then taken to Japan and charged with trespassing, causing injury, vandalism, carrying a knife and obstructing commercial activities.

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New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told reporters on Monday that Bethune was getting as much support from the NZ consulate as could be provided.

"But it's worth noting that I can't get involved in a prosecution in another country any more than I can get involved in a prosecution in New Zealand. What I can do is make sure the person is being treated fairly," Key said.

A consulate official spent an hour with Bethune last Wednesday, and Key said there would also be an official presence throughout the trial, which starts on Thursday and could be over in three days.

"I'm advised the embassy and his lawyers can have access at any time," Key said.

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely."

Some opposition MPs and anti-whaling activists say the NZ government has not done enough to try to secure Bethune's release leading up to the trial, but Key has maintained it is wrong to interfere in the Japanese justice system.

Bethune faces a possible prison sentence and he was reported in the Sunday Star-Times at the weekend as saying his chances of getting off lightly were almost nil.

An investigation into the collision between the two boats is being conducted by Maritime NZ.